I am really looking forward to photographing Ari and Rachel’s wedding. They are so in love, yet the very first time they will kiss each other will be on their wedding day after they say I do. Their devotion to their faith and each other is inspiring.
For those that may think romance is dead and there are no longer any gentlemen in the world, you need to read Rachel’s account below of the day Ari proposed. I was not there to photograph this day for them but I wanted them to have some great images to remember this wonderful occasssion. Below are two self portraits Ari and Rachel took with their point and shoot camera that I worked some photoshop magic on, to bring out the best in them. (give yourself some bonus points if you noticed I even went as far to clone out the reflection of Ari’s arm in his glasses)
Self Portraits by Ari & Rachel
31 March 2009
Many people have asked me how Ari proposed to me… so I thought I’d share with you all
Well it started on a Wednesday, he organized Corinne to take me out and bless me with a manicure and a pedicure at a local salon. I had a thought that maybe Ari had set her up to do this, but she claimed she was just blessing me cos I deserve pampering and she is the best bridesmaid! So that was a real treat!
Then on Friday, Corinne text me and asked me if I wanted to come to her house the next morning for breakfast and pampering! Of course I said yes, how special did I feel! Corinne’s a hairdresser, so I thought she might give me a pre-wedding makeover or wax my eyebrows or something. So on Saturday (7th March) she picked me up and took me to her place and cooked me a huge brekky and washed, cut a blow-dried my hair. After she was done, I noticed that she was kinda rushing me out, she said she would drive me to my mum’s place (I had planned to go to mum’s). So she basically pushed me out of her place about 9am and I remember touching my silky soft hair and saying to her “Wow, with hair like this, Ari better propose today!” Next thing I know, we walk out her gate and there is a white stretch limo there. Corinne giggles and calls out “have fun!” and runs back inside, leaving me there, in shock with a limo-driver who asks if I am Rachel, then tells me to hop in the limo because we are going on a mystery tour!
I was so nervous and excited all at once…there was non-alcoholic wine in the limo… it was very special. I knew that today was the day Ari would propose! Wow! I’ve waited my whole life for this romantic and special event… Finally the day has arrived.
We kept driving south, and then once we hit tugun, I knew it… I was going to the airport!!! I was really hoping Ari would be there, because I was so nervous I didn’t want to fly alone… And yes, when the limo pulled up, there was my man… looking so handsome. We rushed inside and boarded a plane to Sydney!
When we got to Sydney airport, Ari led me through a crowd to where a well-dressed man stood with a sign with our names on it. He took us to a black limo and I sat in the back while Ari and the driver fussed about in the boot. Ari opened the door and handed me a single red rose… then went back to the boot, what on earth were they doing in there? Then Ari hops in the back of the limo with me and presents me with… a huge glass of fresh watermelon juice on ice! (About a month earlier, Ari had asked me what was my favourite drink, and I said watermelon juice on ice)! Ahhhh, so refreshing: the drink, and also a man who really thought of all the little things.
So we sat back and enjoyed the drive, all the way to The Rocks, at Sydney Harbour, where the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge is. We had a beautiful lunch at the Oyster Bar (Seafood restaurant) right on the water. After lunch, we decided to go for a walk. (Mind you, I was just so amazed at the fact that I was in Sydney so suddenly, and distracted by the romantic sights and sounds all around, I completely forgot about the ring, or when or how he might pop the question!). Ari suggested we walk up to the Opera House and have a look, so we began to walk up the steps, and as we did, we noticed two brides coming down the steps nearby, a very nice coincidence… next thing I know, we have stopped half-way up the steps and Ari has taken my two hands and begins to tell me how much he loves me and how he doesn’t want to live a single moment of his life without me. (He said a lot more nice stuff, but I honestly can’t remember it all because I was on the biggest high ever! It’s really happening!!!)
Then he got down on one knee and pulled a box out of his pocket, and said, “Rachel, will you marry me?”, I said the biggest “ABSOLUTELY!!!!” in the world, and then actually got down on my knees too, to be eye level! We hugged and he slipped on my manicured finger the most beautiful white-gold diamond ring I have ever seen in my life.
No, we still haven’t kissed on the lips- we are waiting for our wedding day. And yes- it was HARD not to kiss right there and then, but we just cuddled and cuddled and kissed on our cheeks! (Haha…I’m so over kissing his cheek- it’s been 20 months now!!)
It took me about five minutes of being engaged, and then I cried the most joyful tears… “I’m REALLY getting married!!!!!” YAY!!!
So for the rest of the day, we walked around Sydney, looked at some shops and looked at my ring every 2 minutes, going “yep, it’s still there, this isn’t a dream!” And late in the afternoon, the limo driver picked us up and took us back to the airport.
We flew back to the Gold Coast, and then Ari drove me home, telling me that it’s not over yet! He told me that there was something hanging on my bedroom door and I was to put it on with some black heels! He dropped me home, and there was a gorgeous little black dress on my door. So with some heels and red lippy, I got ready, Ari got changed and off we headed AGAIN on a mystery!
We ended up at the Q1 in Surfers Paradise, and Ari took me into the Absynthe French Restaurant. The chef there is friends with Gordon Ramsay from TV. He is one of the best in the world. The chef came and congratulated us (everyone at the restaurant knew we had just gotten engaged), and then we sat down to a 7 course meal with the most unusual and delightful food we’ve ever eaten.
The night ended about 11:45pm when I flopped into bed so amazed, I am in love with the most amazing man in the world. Thank you Ari, I love you!!! 67 sleeps and I am Mrs. Dannenberger!!!
2 comments